Archive

“Singin’ in the Rain” at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre.Photo provided by the theatre and used with written permission.

By Patricia RettigBeef & Boards Dinner Theatre

INDIANAPOLIS – April showers are guaranteed this April at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre. But the rain isn’t going to be falling on the roof – it’s on the stage!

The refreshing romantic comedy Singin’ in the Rain – the stage version of one of MGM’s most celebrated films – pours onto the Beef & Boards stage starting April 12, 2018.

Set in 1920s Hollywood, this classic is the story of Don Lockwood, a famous actor in silent films. His success is shared by his co-star, Lina Lamont, but – at least for Don — their romance is only for the screen. When they star in their first talking movie, Lina’s grating voice causes studio executives to arrange for the voice of the beautiful young actress, Kathy Selden, to be used instead. When Lina finds out, she is furious. While Don has eyes for the lovely Kathy, Lina isn’t about to be pushed aside – on screen, or off.

Memorable songs include “Good Morning,” “Make ‘Em Laugh,” and the title tune.

Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis, Indiana.Photo provided by the theatre and used with written permission.

By Patricia Rettig Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre

INDIANAPOLIS – It’s a season of excitement at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre as it celebrates its 45th Anniversary in 2018 with four new shows to its stage.

These productions will take audiences from a Greek island, to Memphis, Tenn., the Spanish city of Seville, and finally, the North Pole. And in-between there’s sun, rain, and seven couples who tie the knot.

It all kicks off on Dec. 28, 2017 with a show set in Texas. Greater Tuna is a sidesplitting comedy about the Lone Star State’s third-smallest town. All 20 of its wacky residents are played by just two actors: Beef & Boards’ own comic duo of Eddie Curry and Jeff Stockberger. This hilarious send-up of small town morals and mores is on stage through Jan. 28, 2018.

On stage for the first time at Beef & Boards and the headliner of the 2018 Season, Mamma Mia!, opens Feb. 1 for performances through April 8. Nominated for five Tony Awards and set on a Greek island paradise, ABBA’s greatest hits tell the hilarious story of a bride’s search for her birth father. This sunny and funny tale includes the songs “Honey, Honey,” “Dancing Queen,” “Take A Chance on Me” and the incredible title tune.

It may get a bit cloudy starting April 12, but that signals time for some splashy singing and dancing with the beloved classic, Singin’ in the Rain. An MGM movie classic-turned-musical, this show is a romantic romp through Hollywood’s golden age. Its downpour of unforgettable songs include: “Make ‘Em Laugh,” “Moses Supposes,” “Good Morning,” and the show’s fun title song. Singin’ In The Rain is on stage through May 26.

Then the sun comes out with the delightful and rambunctious redheaded orphan, Annie, opening May 31. Winner of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, this musical tells the story of little orphan Annie, who charms everyone’s hearts despite a next-to-nothing start in 1930s New York City. The featured Family Show of Beef & Boards’ 2018 Season, Annie features $10 discounts off tickets for all kids ages 3-15. Famous songs include “Tomorrow,” “Hard Knock Life,” and “Maybe.”

New to the Beef & Boards stage in 2018 and opening July 19 is a musical based on the true story of one incredible night where four stars aligned in Memphis, Tennessee. Million Dollar Quartet takes place on Dec. 4, 1956, when an extraordinary twist of fate brought Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Elvis Presley together at Sun Records, for what would be one of the greatest jam sessions ever. This Tony Award winning musical is on stage through Aug. 26.

Aug. 30 is the start of the rollicking adventure that won the Tony Award for Best Musical: Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Set in in 1850, it tells the story of Millie, a young bride living in the Oregon wilderness. Her plan to civilize and marry off her six rowdy brothers-in-law to ensure the success of her own marriage backfires when the brothers, in their enthusiasm, kidnap six women from a neighboring town to be their brides. Great songs include “Bless Your Beautiful Hide,” “Goin’ Courtin’,” “Sobbin’ Women,” and “Wonderful, Wonderful Day.” On stage through Oct. 7.

The third new production of the season is inspired by Miguel de Cervantes’ 17th Century masterpiece Don Quixote. Winner of five Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Man Of La Mancha is one of the most successful musicals in Broadway history. Powerful, hilarious, and heartbreaking, Man of La Mancha celebrates the perseverance of a dying old man who refuses to relinquish his ideals or his passion. The celebrated score includes “I, Don Quixote,” “Dulcinea,” and “The Impossible Dream.” Man of La Mancha is on stage through Nov. 18.

Beef & Boards’ 45th Anniversary Season wraps up with a new show for the holidays: Elf, The Musical, opening Nov. 23. Filled with Christmas cheer and based on the beloved film, this hilarious fish-out-of-water comedy follows Buddy the Elf in his quest to find his true identity. Also new to the Beef & Boards stage in 2018, Elf, The Musical has performances continuing through New Year’s Eve.

CHILDREN’S THEATRE

The Pyramid Players also announce their 2018 Live Theatre for Kids series. Designed to entertain children of any age, these shows are a great way to introduce preschoolers to live theatre. Youngsters also have the opportunity to meet the cast after the show for pictures and autographs.

First on stage for the Pyramid Players is Cinderella. This musical version of the famous fairy tale brings the story’s magic to the stage. On stage Feb. 17 through March 17.

The childhood favorite Rapunzel is the fall production, on stage Oct. 20 through Nov. 17. Love reaches new heights in this story originally by the Brothers Grimm, about a girl whose long hair is legendary.

Performances take place on select Fridays at 10 a.m. and Saturdays at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Performances last one hour, are presented without intermission, and include juice and a snack.

MEMBERSHIP & TICKET AVAILABILITY

VIP Memberships for the 2018 Season go on sale to the public starting Sept. 1, 2017. Individual show tickets go on sale to the general public starting Oct. 1, 2017. Visit beefandboards.com for complete details or call 317-872-9664.

Indianapolis—Amid a war-torn 1942, a young white boy and an older black man find themselves stranded on a Caribbean island in the Indiana Repertory Theatre’s (IRT) The Cay, on the Upperstage from January 28 through February 26, 2017.

In this story of opposites, The Cay follows a friendship that blossoms despite racial division as Phillip (played by Dalyn Stewart) and Timothy (played by David Alan Anderson) learn that without each other, neither will survive. Together, the duo brings Theodore Taylor’s award-winning novel to life and share that despite age, upbringing or race, friendship can be found in the most unlikely of places.

Taking place on a set that brings to life a variety of circumstances and locations, the characters survive being stranded at sea, tossed amidst a hurricane and deserted on an island. Geoffrey Ehrendreich, IRT Properties Manager, believes the complexity and creativity of the set to be the best work of the season.

“My favorite theatre is when you have to use your imagination, and this production encourages just that,” said director and IRT dramaturg, Richard J Roberts, revealing that the sound effects have been created using musical instruments and the props, including two giant palm trees, have been fashioned from items one might find washed ashore after a shipwreck.

“This production asks the audience to look beyond the surface reality of stage objects and imagine a world of natural wonders, just as the characters must look beyond their personal differences and see the possibilities of friendship,” said Roberts.

Celebrate the New Year, with new friendships found only in the IRT’s The Cay. Learn more about this production by visiting http://irtlive.com, or call 317-635-5252.

Carmel, Ind. (April 25, 2016) – President and CEO Tania Castroverde Moskalenko and Artistic Director Michael Feinstein today unveiled the 2016-17 Season, presented by Allied Solutions, during a special gathering at the Palladium for subscribers and donors.

The 2016-17 season at the Center for the Performing Arts will feature six subscription series, including: Printing Partners Classical, The Stratford Songbook, Jazz, Country, World Stage and Dance. In addition, the Center will present Drewry Simmons Vornehm Pop/Blues/Folk, University of Indianapolis Spotlight, Family and Holiday performances.

The Center’s annual Songbook Celebration Gala presented by Krieg DeVault returns in October and the second annual New Year’s Eve Extravaganza returns in December.

New this year, the Center has increased subscriber benefits. Now, save 20-30% on tickets in a subscription series, and 15% on Create Your Own series. The 15-20% subscriber discount can be applied to any additional performances throughout the Center Presents 2016-17 season presented by Allied Solutions, including just-added performances.

“The Center has prepared a sensational lineup awaiting your discovery. From powerful classical recitals and orchestral performances, to exhilarating Songbook and Broadway showcases, from hand-clapping and foot-stomping pop rock, and blues bands, to awe-inspiring family friendly presentations, the season ahead is filled with incredible talent and flair. We look forward to sharing the season with the community and will continue, as always, to announce new performances throughout the year,” said Moskalenko.

Subscriptions are on sale Tuesday, April 26, beginning at 6 a.m. online and 10 a.m at the Palladium box office window and by phone at 317-843-3800 or toll-free at 877-909-2787. The season lineup will be outlined in full on the Center for the Performing Arts’ website:www.TheCenterPresents.org.

The Time Jumpers featuring Vince Gill, Kenny Sears, and “Ranger Doug” Green
Fri., April 28 at 8pm | The Palladium

More Country Music! This year, the Center is adding more country performances and offering two Country Series packages. Subscribe now to the Country Series A. Stay tuned later this season for an additional package, Country Series B, for even more artists and discounts!

World Stage Series

Ballet Folklorico “Quetzalli” de Veracruz
Sun., September 25 at 7pm | The Palladium

Havana Cuba All-Stars
Fri., November 4 at 8pm | The Palladium

Danú: An Evening of Celtic Music
Fri., March 10 at 8pm | The Tarkington

The Indiana Repertory Theatre (IRT) presents the world’s longest running stage play The Mousetrap by English crime novelist and playwright Agatha Christie from April 26 to May 22, 2016 on the OneAmerica Mainstage.

The Mousetrap is the story of Mollie and Giles Ralston, two newlyweds who have inherited a beautiful but high maintenance country manor. Against their better judgment, they decide to turn it into a hotel. After their visitors arrive, a blizzard traps them inside the home and where among them, a murderer stalks.

“This production magnetizes people. It welcomes mystery aficionados, has impeccable scenery and costumes and above all, incredible acting,” said Janet Allen, IRT executive artistic director and CEO. “When we produced The Mousetrap in the 80’s it was tremendous fun and we deserve to experience this treat all over again.”

Infusing the production with new life is IRT associate artistic director Courtney Sale, who says that directing The Mousetrap is exactly why she came to the IRT. “The Mousetrap is risk-taking artistry. I look at this production and realize what a great gift it is to be positioned in this way,” said Sale. “This play is fun, surprising, fulfilling and the artistic world is large and interesting enough that we can take a very different approach every time we produce something that has previously been on stage.”

While exploring how to recreate The Mousetrap, Sale –alongside the creative team—constantly pushed how grand the production could be in order to generate attention, connection and resentment. “The audience and characters must feel disoriented, so we created places for people stay, hide and crawl – even a window for a skier to reach from the outside,” said Sale. “Maximizing this pressure in a grandiose setting was our goal.”

The incredibly ornate “Downton Abbey-meets-Hogwarts” inspired set, designed by Butler University professor Rob Koharchick, features details that indicate something is awry. That uneasy feeling is reinforced through the production’s sound cues created by nationally accomplished composer, musician and sound designer David Dabbon.

“Dabbon has created evocative piano pieces specifically for the IRT that are both moving and suspenseful and will be an incredible accompaniment to the work we present on stage,” said Sale.

Celebrating outrageous characters and an intense sleuth, this award-winning play soon celebrates its 64th birthday, but hasn’t lost a beat with age. Part drawing room comedy and part murder mystery, The Mousetrap is a doubled-barreled whodunit full of twists and surprises.

• Mother’s Day Brunch
5/8 at 12:30 PM
$60 includes a ticket to The Mousetrap and brunch before the performance. To book contact the ticket office at 317.635.5252. Limited availability.

• Post-Show Discussion with IRT artists
5/14 at 8 PM

• Happy Hour Series
5/17 at 5:30 PM
Complimentary drinks from Sun King Brewing and New Day Craft plus 1/2 priced bar drinks all night long!

• Dinner & Show at The Oceanaire
5/18 at 5 PM
To book contact the ticket office at 317.635.5252. Tickets $75 per person and include one ticket to The Mousetrap and a three-course, hand-selected dinner.

• Cookies & Coffee Matinee & Post-show discussion
5/19 at 2 PM
Join us for cookies from Vanilla Bean Bakery and coffee before and during intermission of The Mousetrap

CALENDAR
Tuesday, April 26 at 7:30 PM
Wednesday, April 27 at 6:30 PM
Thursday, April 28 at 7:30 PM
Friday, April 29 at 7:30 PM
Saturday, April 30 at 1 & 5 PM
Sunday, May 01 at 2 PM
Friday, May 06 at 7:30 PM
Saturday, May 07 at 5 & 9 PM
Sunday, May 08 at 2 PM
Thursday, May 12 at 7:30 PM
Friday, May 13 at 7:30 PM
Saturday, May 14 at 4 & 8 PM
Sunday, May 15 at 2 & 6 PM
Tuesday, May 17 at 6:30PM
Wednesday, May 18 at 7:30 PM
Thursday, May 19 at 2 & 7:30 PM
Friday, May 20 at 7:30 PM
Saturday, May 21 at 2 & 6 PM
Sunday, May 22 at 2 PM